Syracuse University scrambles to distance itself from frat video
One fraternity member appeared to swear an oath to ‘have hatred’ in his heart. The university called the speech ‘disgraceful,’ but the frat says the whole thing was done for comedic effect.
A joke out of context can be offensive—or even disastrous.
Syracuse University found itself embroiled in crisis after a video was posted online of a fraternity ritual in which at least one person appeared to take an oath of hatred and bigotry.
Later, The Daily Orange, an independently run school newspaper, shared a copy of a six-minute video from a new member ceremony last month.
In it, the brothers take part in a performance that includes one person reciting an oath: “I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart,” he says, then referring to blacks, Hispanics and Jews in derogatory terms. He then mimics performing oral sex on another person. Participants laugh and cheer throughout.
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